Protecting Animals

Protecting Animals

The animals we share this planet with are sentient beings capable of feeling and suffering.

The Greens have long campaigned to:

End animal cruelty and for the abolition of cruel and inhumane treatment of animals in sport, recreation and entertainment by banning duck shooting, jumps racing and greyhound racing.

Phase out of intensive farming practices that are inconsistent with the natural behavioural needs of animals.

Protect our native wildlife.

We want to see an independent body to regulate animal welfare.

While action has finally been taken to ban puppy farms, other cruel practices have been allowed to continue, including duck shooting, greyhound racing and jumps racing:

Jumps racing has long been banned in most of Australia, but inexplicably, is still allowed in Victoria and South Australia despite the continuing toll of deaths and horrific injuries to horses. Some horses injured in races are shot on the race track behind a screen. Some are just never seen again. The Greens in Victoria and South Australia are campaigning to ban jumps racing once and for all. Read our detailed plan here [PDF]

Thousands of greyhounds are ‘euthanised’ every year, simply because they don’t win races. Many more suffer injuries during racing and training, simply so punters can place a bet. The Greens are campaigning to end greyhound racing in Victoria and across Australia. Read our detailed plan here [PDF]

During the annual Victorian duck shooting season, thousands of ‘game’ ducks are shot on our wetlands along with rare and threatened ducks and many other types of birds including protected species. Up to one quarter of the birds that are shot fly away wounded. Duck shooting is banned in WA, NSW and Queensland, and was never permitted in the ACT. Read our detailed plan here [PDF]

Chickens continue to suffer in battery cages, where they can’t walk or flap their wings, and endure the agony of de-beaking. The recent national ‘free range’ standard allows 10 000 birds per hectare (it should be no more than 1 500) with no guaranteed access to the outdoors. Sow stalls, where sows cannot turn around, are still permitted. The Greens will ban battery cages and sow stalls. Read our detailed plan to ban battery cages here [PDF] and our plan to ban sow stall here [PDF]

Animals may not be able to speak, but we can be their voice. We stand with the majority of Victorians who want to see an end to cruelty and suffering for animals.

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this country as the first inhabitants, and the custodians of the lands where we live and work. We pay tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and give respect to Elders past, present and emerging.